Chapter Text
It was a normal Thursday, Dan was sat editing their next upload. He admitted, if only to himself, that part of him had missed it. But his hiatus was one well needed. He felt better than he had in quite some time, and even found himself looking forward to their Christmas content, which was just around the corner. As Dan arranged and cut the clips, he was listening to old MCR songs. He was thinking of trying to do a gingerbread house challenge with Phil and how much chaos that would be. He chuckled to himself just imagining it.
Soon enough Dan was drawn from his reverie by the ding of the doorbell. "...I'll get it!" he called, setting the laptop aside.
He quickly made his way to the front door. As far as he knew, they weren't expecting anyone. Upon opening the door and looking in both directions, he was met by no one. This confused him even more. He dazedly gave a double take before he heard a rustling down lower. His eyes snapped down to rest on what appeared to be a bassinet, with a cloth and note pinned to the front. A moment later there were more sounds, some kind of intrigued squeal.
Dan blinked a couple times before promptly shutting the door.
"What's going on?" asked Phil, coming from behind to see what had caused the silence. Once he glimpsed Dan's shaken look, his brows furrowed in mild concern. "Dan? Who was it? You're worrying me-"
"If it's real, I'm going to flip." Dan finally managed to say.
"What do you mean?" Phil questioned, growing more confused than worried.
Dan didn't reply, he only stepped aside and gestured rigidly with one arm for Phil to open the door himself. With a sigh, Phil stepped forward and grabbed the door handle. After his own puzzled glances, the noise also caught his attention. He immediately looked down and gasped with a hand flying to his mouth.
He turned a wide-eyed look to Dan. Dan shot back a look that said 'See what I mean?' Phil immediately crouched to grab the note. He unfolded it slowly and began to read, with Dan peeking over his shoulder.
I know this may come as a shock, and I'm very sorry to
put you in this position. I have lost the ability to properly
care for this little boy. I want him to have a wonderful life
and I know I can't give him anything close. His papers are
tucked in a pocket on the side, including how to get him a
birth certificate. (I wanted to leave his name to be determined
by those who raise him.) He was born on June 7, 2023. Five
months ago, now. I know this is a lot to ask, and I understand
if you decide to bring him to a center after all. I just wanted
to give him some kind of shot at a happy family. My greatest
apologies, but I thank you from the middle of my heart.
The two men stood silently for minutes, staring blankly at the note, unable even to begin processing the situation.
"What the actual fuck-?" Dan spoke suddenly.
"Dan! Don't swear like that in front of the baby!" Phil scolded him, Dan rolled his eyes.
"Phil, it's 5 months old, it can't understand a thing. I'm quite certain a swear word will fly over it's head!" Dan argued.
"Stop saying 'it'! The note says he's a boy!" Phil cried in annoyance. Dan gave a sharp exhale and crossed his arms over his chest.
"You cannot tell me this is really happening. This kind of thing doesn't happen in real life!" Dan exclaimed. Phil looked uncertainly at the basket, Dan easily recognized what was happening in his open gaze. "We can't keep this kid, Phil."
"But-" Dan punched him lightly in the arm, cutting off his sentence. "Hey! What was that for?"
"I know you're not trying to tell me that there's a 'but' in this situation," Dan told him incredulously.
"Dan! We cannot bring him to a center, he'll grow up with no one to confide in, he'll be miserable! This mum wanted him to have a good life, I feel like maybe we should try..." Phil argued passionately. Dan pinched the bridge of his nose, momentarily regretting his decision to live with such an optimist.
"Phil. We are two grown, gay men in our thirties. We play videogames online for a living. We eat cereal for lunch most days and don't get me started on our sleep schedules. How do you expect us to care for a human child, you couldn't keep my damn PLANTS alive!" Dan counter-argues just as determined. Phil frowned at him.
"A baby is a lot different from a plant, Dan. Besides, what if this kid was brought to us for a reason? Maybe it's a sign we need a change!" Dan fixed Phil with his dagger gaze. "We should at least bring him inside, while we figure this out. It's not the warmest today."
Dan huffed but he couldn't disagree. He gingerly bent to lift the bassinet, bringing it to the living room and setting it on the sofa. He stood back considering it for a moment, still not lifting the curtain.
"Oh come on, let's see the little fellow." Phil took initiative and gently pulled back the small veil. He gasped again, bursting into awe at the small boy staring back at them curiously. Even Dan bit his lip to avoid admitting how adorable he was.
The two instantly moved in closer to gush a bit and play with him. He had the pinkest cheeks, and blonde hair that was already showing potential for fluffy curls someday. His eyes were a gorgeous bright blue, which wasn't unnoticed on Phil's part. "Dan, loook! He's got my eyes.. and he'd have your curls someday-"
Phil was quietly ecstatic, he kept looking at Dan hopefully with the cutest bursts of excitement. Dan softened, if only a little.
"Hey there, little guy," Dan smiled and began to reach a hand out, wiggling his fingers playfully. The baby reached out and grabbed tightly to his index finger. Dan's heart immediately caught and he couldn't help the smile that lit up on his face.
Phil squealed before catching himself and whisper screaming. He poked at Dan's dimple, earning a glare that poorly disguised his smile still shining brightly.
"Is someone warming up to my suggestion...?" Phil teased his boyfriend. Dan rolled his eyes, but he didn't deny immediately. Phil's cheeky grin grew wider as he turned his attention back to the baby, still held tightly to Dan's finger.
After a moment of thoughtful consideration, Dan spoke quietly. "Phil.. I do admit he's perfect. But could we really do this? I don't feel responsible enough. What if we let the mum down?"
Phil rested a reassuring hand on Dan's shoulder. "You're spiraling, dear. Take a deep breath." Dan did as he said, gently tracing circles on the baby's hand. His gaze softened as he looked at the boy with adoration.
"Would we be ready for this?" Dan asked calmly, not shifting his attention. "We recently accepted our sexualities. We recently got together. We recently started the gaming channel back up. What would the fans say? We haven't even announced our relationship."
Now he looked up and met Phil with questioning eyes, Phil gave him the gentlest smile.
"Who says they have to know? We've always been very private when we want to. I think it would be healthy for us to take a chance on this kid. Can't you imagine it? Giving him our love and affection instead of him having to grow up in a center, possibly neglected,"
Dan let out a sigh and rested his his head on Phil's shoulder. "But I'm worried, we've never even had a dog, or a cat. Or a hamster!"
"Come on, you know I loved my hamsters as a boy!" Phil chuckled and shushed him by pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "I believe in us. We can figure it out together, can't we? Plus, we get to name him, can you think of a better chance?"
Dan smiled at that, looking at the little boy in wonder. He'd let go of Dan and fallen asleep, he somehow looked even more adorable. Peacefully, he dozed, his hands now in small fists at his sides. Dan lifted his head to look at Phil again, a small grin playing on his lips. Phil smiled back before getting an idea.
The older man stood, taking Dan by both hands to prompt him standing as well. Then he got down on one knee, looking up mischievously at his boyfriend.
"Daniel James Howell, will you do me an honor, and raise this boy with me?" He asked in giddy seriousness. Dan broke into a fit of giggles and shook his head in disbelief at his amazing boyfriend.
"Yes, Philip Michael Lester, I'd love to raise this kid with you." Dan answered through laughter, smiling brightly. He gestured for Phil to stand and proceeded grab him firmly by the waist, pulling him close. They both leaned in for a sweet kiss, Phil's giddy grin still lighting up his face.
"We're going to be dads!" Dan cried excitedly, unable to help himself after the kiss. "We're going to be great dads,"
Dan pulled Phil closer again until their foreheads were touching.
"How hard can it be?" Phil asked smiling and kissing Dan's nose.